A true partnership makes all the difference
Paolo and his family love to travel. Together, they hike, cycle and enjoy spending time outdoors. He’s a healthy, active husband and father of five. So, when they were together on sabbatical in Italy, his mind was focused on all things positive – until he discovered a lump in his chest.
At first, he thought, “What’s there to worry about?” He called his doctor and – agreeing to follow up when he returned home – he enjoyed the final days of his trip. After undergoing diagnostic testing, he received a call from his doctor on June 4th – his 55th birthday. Paolo had breast cancer.
Male breast cancer is rare, affecting only 1 in 833 men, according to the National Cancer Society. And although his father had died of cancer in 1999, Paolo had no reason to think he was at risk. “I’m a positive guy,” he says. “But this was a big challenge. It raised a lot of questions, uncertainties – even fear.” Still, he wasn’t about to let that fear get the best of him. “The immediate thing now was getting the best care I could possibly find.”
During that difficult time, Paolo was especially grateful for the team at Beacon. “Scientifically, medically, personally… they were always there for me for me and my family. That human connection was evident. There were times when I was frequently exchanging calls and texts at any hour of the day and night; I didn’t need an appointment. When I was having complications in the middle of the night, or on the way to the ER, I was in constant communication with them.”
